Dubuque approves voluntary pilot to replace private lead water service lines; 200 homes funded for phase 1

DUBUQUE, Iowa — The Dubuque City Council on April 7 adopted plans, specifications and an estimated cost for the first construction phase of the city’s private lead service line replacement pilot program, authorizing work that will replace roughly 200 private lead water service lines this construction season.

The 100% voluntary pilot targets owner-occupied and rented homes that meet socioeconomic eligibility established by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR). “This phase of the pilot program is 100% voluntary and is open to those residents with a verified drinking water lead service line meeting the socioeconomic guidelines established by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,” Water Department Director Chris Lester told council members.

The pilot’s funding summary in staff materials lists SRF funds of $1,931,800 and local funds of $96,000 for a total of $2,027,800. City staff said local funds will cover “premise plumbing” work — interior plumbing tasks the state’s SRF rules consider ineligible because the work extends into private homes. Staff said the required local money is expected to be reallocated from a water treatment plant roof repair project in fiscal 2026.

Why 585 appears in the discussion: Lester explained that the city’s original inventory of likely lead service lines was reduced during verification work and after state eligibility scoring. “So essentially, the…we used that to figure approximately 585 homes is what we could afford based on what we had budgeted at 49% forgivable,” he said, summarizing how changes to forgivable-share assumptions and eligibility reduced the number of homes the city can fund without assessing property owners. City staff said 200 homes in phase 1 are funded and ready to proceed; phases 2 and 3 remain contingent on securing additional SRF/bill funding.

Council members asked how residents are selected and how the city will verify lines without creating privacy concerns. Lester said staff conduct in-home verifications to “look at that meter…to verify that it’s lead,” and emphasized the visits are verification rather than an enforcement inspection: “we’re not there to write you up…we take photos of it.” Because the work touches interior plumbing at times, staff will use local funds to bring premise plumbing up to code where necessary.

Contracting approach and construction methods were described as chosen to minimize property disturbance: staff said the Iowa DNR prefers “pull through and directional drill techniques” over open trenching in many yards to reduce landscape and soil disturbance and to streamline historic‑preservation reviews.

Councilmember questions also covered selection order if demand exceeds capacity. Lester said the program is scoped for identified census tracts the DNR marked as eligible, and acknowledged “we expect…there would be more than 585 homeowners … that would like to get their lead service line replaced at no cost to them.” City staff said any expansion beyond phase 1 depends on future SRF decisions and Congressional appropriations.

The council voted 7–0 to adopt the plans and estimated cost and to proceed with the phase‑1 contract process. Councilmember Jones moved the measure; Councilmember Wethal seconded.